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Israel–Qatar relations

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Qatar established unofficial trade relations with the State of Israel in 1996, the first amongst all nations of the Arabian Peninsula after Oman reportedly did, concurrently with Israel–Jordan peace treaty.[1] Until 2009, Qatar and Israel maintained trade relations, but due to Operation Cast Lead, Qatar broke the trade with Israel.[2]

Israel–Qatar relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Qatar

Israel
Qatar

Diplomatic relations

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See also: Qatari support for Hamas

Following the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, Qatar hosted an emergency conference of Arab states and Iran to discuss the conflict. The Hamas administration in Gaza, as opposed to the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, represented the Palestinians, undermining support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Khalid Meshaal, the leader of Hamas, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and President Ahmadinejad of Iran urged all Arab states to cut any remaining ties to Israel.[3][4]

In 2013, Qatar reportedly assisted in an Israeli operation to bring a group of Yemenite Jews to Israel. The claim was made by a Lebanese Arabic newspaper. According to the source, 60 Jews fleeing Yemen were allowed to transition from Doha on a flight to Israel.[5]

On 30 April 2013, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani said that final status agreements with the Palestinians could involve land swaps instead of sticking to the 1967 borders. This was received positively in Israel with Justice Minister Tzipi Livni saying: "This news is very positive. In the tumultuous world around ... it could allow the Palestinians to enter the room and make the needed compromises and it sends a message to the Israeli public that this is not just about us and the Palestinians", adding that "peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis is ... a strategic choice for the Arab states".[6]

Israeli leaders harshly criticized Qatar's diplomatic and financial support of Hamas in the wake of Operation Protective Edge, accusing the Qataris of being major sponsors of terrorism.[7] Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called for the banishment of Qatar-based Al Jazeera journalists from Israel.[8]

On 9 March 2015, Qatar's ambassador to Gaza reportedly sought direct approval from Israel to import construction material into the Gaza Strip after Egypt had refused to allow the Qatari delegation through the Rafah border crossing. The Palestinian Authority and Fatah lashed out at Qatar, condemning their efforts to engage in direct communication with Israel.[9][10] Jihad Harb, a political analyst and author, claimed that Qatar "might assume the role of mediator between Gaza and Israel, thus usurping the roles of the PA and Egypt."[9]

In June 2015, the Qatari government facilitated discussions between Israel and Hamas in Doha to discuss a possible five-year ceasefire between the two parties.[11]

In June 2017, Israel backed the Saudi-led bloc of Arab states opposed to Qatar in the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, and announced the expulsion of Qatari state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera Media Network from Israel.[12] Emirati author Salem Al Ketbi claimed, without due substantiation, that towards the end of the 20th century, Qatar had boycotted some countries that resorted to peace and normalisation of relations with Israel.[13]

During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Qatar mediated between Hamas and Israel.[14][15] They reached an extended ceasefire and the exchange of more than 100 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners.[16][17][18][19][20]

In April 2024, Essa Al-Nassr, a brigadier general at the Emiri Guard and member of Qatar's legislative assembly stated that "there will be no peace nor negotiations with the Zionist entity for one reason: because their mentality does not recognize negotiations, but rather only… breaking promises and lying… They only recognize one thing, which is killings; since they are killers of prophets.” He has also referred to the October 7 attacks as a “prelude to the annihilation of the corruption of the ‘second Zionist entity’ upon earth".[21]

Diplomatic visits

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Despite Qatar's support of Hamas, Israeli leaders have maintained direct contact with the emirate. In January 2007, in his last months as vice premier, former President Shimon Peres paid a high-profile visit to the capital city of Doha. Peres also visited Qatar in 1996, when he launched the new Israeli trade bureau there.[22]

In January 2008, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani in Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum. The existence of the surreptitious talks has so far been kept secretive by Israel.[23]

Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni also met with the Qatari Emir at a UN conference in 2008.[24] In April 2008, she visited Qatar where she attended a conference and met the Emir, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Oil and Gas.[25] In December 2023, it was announced that Qatar and Israel leaders would be meeting each other in Norway later in the year.[26]

Cultural relations

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The Qatar National Olympic Committee and the State of Israel co-funded the Doha Stadium in the Israeli Arab city of Sakhnin located in the Galilee region of Israel. The stadium was named after the Qatari city of Doha. The decision by the Qataris to build the stadium in Israel came after a meeting between the Arab Knesset member Ahmad Tibi and Secretary-General of the Qatar National Olympic Committee Sheikh Saud Abdulrahman Al Thani after Tibi expressed his concern on the conditions for sport in Sakhnin among the Arab society inside Israel. The involvement of Qatar was to show that relations between the two nations are peaceful and with a similar interest.[27]

In February 2020, Israeli doctor Vered Windman attended the ISPCAN event in Doha, Qatar.[28][29]

When Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they stated that Israel would be allowed to compete in the tournament should they qualify.[30]

Economic relations

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Qatar established unofficial trade relations with Israel in 1996,[31] the second state bordering the Persian Gulf to do so after Oman.[32] In 2000, Israel's trade office in Qatar was closed down by authorities.[33]

Qatar permanently severed trade relations with Israel in 2009 following Operation Cast Lead.[34] In 2010, Qatar twice offered to restore trade relations with Israel and allow the reinstatement of the Israeli mission in Doha, on the condition that Israel allow Qatar to send building materials and money to Gaza to help rehabilitate infrastructure, and that Israel make a public statement expressing appreciation for Qatar's role and acknowledging its standing in the Middle East. Israel refused on the grounds that Qatari supplies could be used by Hamas to build bunkers and reinforced positions from which to fire rockets at Israeli cities and towns, and that Israel did not want to get involved in the competition between Qatar and Egypt over the Middle East mediation.[35][36] However, Qatar did mediation talks with Hamas and Israeli officials.[37]

According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli exports to Qatar amounted to $509,000 in 2012, mainly machinery, computer equipment and medical instruments. Imports from Qatar amounted to $353,000 in 2013, mainly plastics.[38]

In December 2018, Israel permitted a €13 million payment from Qatar to Gazan workers as part of a six monthly payment to help with humanitarian crisis in the Gaza region.[39] There have been frequent talks between Israel and Qatar on matters relating to Gaza since 2014 via Qatar's envoy to Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi who has been in regular contact with Israel.[40][41]

In November 2021 Israel and Qatar signed an agreement allowing Qatar to trade in diamonds and Israeli merchants to enter Qatar and open offices.[42][43][44]

Sporting events

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In February 2008, tennis player Shahar Pe'er became the first Israeli to compete in a WTA Tour event in the Arabian Peninsula when she reached the third round of the Qatar Total Open in Doha.[45] Later on, she competed again in Qatar in 2012.[46]

In 2009, Qatar said that it would welcome Israel footballers if it were to win the bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[47]

In 2014, Israeli swimmers took part in the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) in Doha.[48] In 2016, Israeli beach volleyball duo, Sean Faiga and Ariel Hilman, participated in the FIVB Qatar Open in Doha.[49]

In January 2018, Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela competed at the 2018 Qatar ExxonMobil Open. In February, Israeli youth handball team played at the 2018 Handball World School Championship in Qatar.[50] In October, Israeli gymnasts competed in the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which was held for the first time in Doha, Qatar and the Middle East.[51] In November, Israeli equestrian Danielle Goldstein participated in the 2018 Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar.[52]

In March 2019, the Israeli national anthem was played in Qatar after Israeli gymnast Alexander Shatilov won the gold medal for the floor exercise during the 2019 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series.[53] In Autumn 2019, Israeli athletes contended at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.[54]

In January 2021, Israelis competed at the 2021 Judo World Masters in Doha.[55] In June 2021, Israeli Artem Dolgopyat won a gold medal at the 2021 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series, hosted in Doha.[56]

In 2022, Israel and Qatar announced they would be starting direct flights between Tel Aviv and Doha for the FIFA World Cup.[57] However the two countries have not renewed official relations.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Qatar's Relations with Israel: Challenging Arab and Gulf Norms
  2. ^ "Israel-Qatar Relations: Raising Questions of Trust". HonestReporting. 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  3. ^ "Doha emergency summit deepens Arab differences over Gaza issue". China View. 17 January 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Gaza split prompts Arab countries to boycott emergency summit". The Guardian. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Qatar Helping Yemenite Jews Reach Israel?". Israel National News. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  6. ^ Arab states back Israel-Palestine land swaps Al Jazeera 30 April 2013
  7. ^ Miller, Elhanan (23 July 2014). "Israel singles out Qatar as key Hamas terror sponsor". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  8. ^ Westcott, Lucy (21 July 2014). "Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Seeks to Ban Al Jazeera From Operating in Israel". Newsweek. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Will Qatar-Israel relations threaten PA's relevance in Gaza?". Al Monitor. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  10. ^ "PA's Abbas Fuming Over Qatar Ambassador's Praise for Israel". Algemeiner Journal. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  11. ^ Lazareva, Inna (16 June 2015). "Israeli and Hamas officials 'meet in Qatar to discuss a five year ceasefire deal'". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Netanyahu demands al-Jazeera offices in Israel be shut down". timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and UAE threaten to take further steps against Qatar". Eyes on Europe & Middle East. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2017-10-28.
  14. ^ Mills, Andrew; Masoud, Bassam (2023-11-23). "Israel and Hamas to start four-day truce on Friday -Qatar mediators". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  15. ^ "As sides confirm truce Friday, Israel notifies families of 13 hostages set to be freed". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  16. ^ "Israel-Hamas truce, captive release to begin on Friday, Qatar says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  17. ^ "Israel and Hamas agree to extend truce by two days, Qatar says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  18. ^ "What the resumption of Israel-Hamas fighting means for Palestinians in Israeli jails". npr. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ^ Williams, Dan (2023-12-04). "Israeli medical experts declare some Gaza hostages dead in absentia". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  20. ^ Shao, Elena; Zraick, Karen; Patil, Anushka; Gupta, Gaya (December 2023). "Freed Palestinians Were Mostly Young and Not Convicted of Crimes". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Qatari official: Jews are murderers of prophets; October 7 is only a 'prelude'". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  22. ^ "Peres on rare trip to Qatar". Cosmos.ucc.ie. 30 January 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  23. ^ Sofer, Roni (3 February 2008). "Barak met with Qatari PM". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  24. ^ Sofer, Roni (29 June 1995). "Barak met with Qatari PM". Ynetnews. Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  25. ^ "Livni to Gulf leaders in Qatar : Iran the threat not Israel". Israel National News. 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  26. ^ "Israel and Qatar officials are set to meet in Norway". YouTube. 16 December 2023.
  27. ^ Nahmias, Ro'ei (2006-01-14). "Why "Doha" Stadium and not "HaShalom"?" (in Hebrew). Yedioth Ahronoth. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  28. ^ "A new Israeli Qatari normalization sponsored by Sidra Medical Hospital". qatarviral.net. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  29. ^ "A new normalization scandal for Tamim with Israel". mubasherqatar.com. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  30. ^ Walid, Tamara (29 July 2013). "Qatar would 'welcome' Israel in 2022". The National. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  31. ^ Machowski, Matthew (19 May 2011). "Qatar-Israel Relations: A Historical Overview". MidEastJournal. Matthewmachowski.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  32. ^ Justin Marozzi (September 3, 2019). Islamic Empires: Fifteen Cities That Define a Civilization. Allen Lane. p. 379. ISBN 978-0241199046.
  33. ^ "Qatar: Israel trade office closed". Associated Press. 11 September 2000. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Qatar profile - Timeline". BBC. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  35. ^ "A shameful rejection – Israel News". Haaretz. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  36. ^ Ravid, Barak (18 May 2010). "Israel rejects Qatar bid to restore diplomatic ties". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  37. ^ "Qatar in talks with Hamas, Israel to swap hostages for prisoners". Reuters. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Qatar and Israel: A strategic but complicated alliance". Archived from the original on 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  39. ^ "Israel permits second tranche of Qatari payment to Gazan workers". Irish Times.
  40. ^ Yaari, Michal (March 2020). "Israel and Qatar: relations nurtured by the Palestinian issue" (PDF). mitvim.org.il. p. 8. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  41. ^ Zaken, Danny (25 December 2021). "Qatar, Israel reach agreement on diamond trade - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  42. ^ "Diamond agreement brings Israel and Qatar closer". Globes. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  43. ^ זקן, דני (2021-11-25). "הסכם יהלומים חשאי מקרב את ישראל וקטאר לכינון יחסים רשמיים | בלעדי". Globes. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  44. ^ Zaken, Danny (9 December 2021). "Qatar, Israel reach agreement on diamond trade". Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  45. ^ "Peer becomes 1st Israeli to play in Gulf Arab region, advances in Qatar Open". International Herald Tribune. February 18, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  46. ^ "Tennis helps Shahar Peer break barriers". ESPN. 22 February 2012.
  47. ^ "Qatar would 'welcome' Israel in 2022". The National. 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  48. ^ "Israeli flag not omitted from Qatar swimming championship". Times of Israel. 7 December 2014.
  49. ^ "Israeli beach volleyball duo make history in Qatar". Times of Israel. 4 April 2016.
  50. ^ "Outrage as Israelis hit Qatar". The Punch. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  51. ^ "Rapprochement: Israel, UAE, Qatar". Roya News. 29 October 2018.
  52. ^ אהרוני, אורן (9 November 2018). "רכיבה: מקום שני לגולדשטיין במקצה המוקדמות בדוחא". ynet.co.il (in Hebrew).
  53. ^ "Shatilov: I had a double celebration". Gymnovosti. 26 March 2019.
  54. ^ "Top Israeli runner Chemtai Salpeter collapses in world championship marathon". Times of Israel. 28 September 2019.
  55. ^ Messner, Nicholas (11 January 2021). "A Great Opening of the 2021 Season". International Judo Federation. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  56. ^ "QAYON calls out Qatar Gymnastics Federation for hosting Israeli athletes". Doha News. 24 June 2021.
  57. ^ Mills, Andrew (11 November 2022). "Qatari activists criticise own government over Tel Aviv-Doha World Cup flights". Reuters.
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